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Your lawn is a crucial part of your landscape’s aesthetic appeal. It’s just a patch of green grass, and most of the time, people won’t notice it very much–that is until it starts to look unsightly. Lawns are one of those things where people take for granted that they should look great all the time, so when they don’t, they really stand out. Unfortunately, lawn care isn’t as simple as just lawn mowing. Lawn mowing does make up a large part of lawn maintenance, but without other maintenance, your lawn is soon going to fall apart. So if you’re looking to learn how to keep your lawn in tip-top condition all the time, let’s begin. 1. Mowing Since mowing is going to make up the largest part of your lawn maintenance routine, let’s start with that first. Your Grass Type You may or may not know this depending on how involved you are with your lawn, but there are two main grass types for lawns–cool season and warm season grasses. Cool-season grasses are used for regions where winters are colder and summers are milder. Warm-season grasses are best for regions where winters are milder and the summers are hotter. Warm-season and cool-season grasses have different active growth seasons, mowing requirements, water requirements, and so on, so you need to know your lawn grass type to be able to tailor your maintenance. Frequency Cool-season grasses grow the most in spring and fall, but even warm-season grasses still grow steadily during these seasons, so weekly mowing is recommended, whether it’s warm or cool-season grasses you have. In summer, this is when warm-season grasses grow the most actively, so you’ll need to mow once every 5-7 days, and possibly even more if you see them growing extremely quickly. For cool-season grasses, their growth slows down in the summer, so you should only need to mow once every 7-10 days. In the winter, even the growth of cool-season grasses will slow down a lot, so whether it’s cool or warm-season grasses, you should only need to mow once every few weeks, or even none at all if your grass is in dormancy. So those are general guidelines for each season. However, there can be exceptions. You may need to mow more or less often depending on your grass species. You’ll know it’s time to mow when the grass blades are getting long or bending over, or if you see uneven patches. How To Mow

Beautiful landscapes and lush gardens are great, but they’re only pleasing to the eye. To make the most out of your outdoor space, you need outdoor living spaces to add more functionality and allow your outdoor space to be used for a variety of activities. Outdoor living spaces like patios, outdoor kitchens, and more, allow you to enjoy yourself more and be more comfortable in your outdoor space. If you'd like to have someone do it for you, simply give Louisville Landscape Pros a call. Otherwise, if you’re looking to add an outdoor living space, or even a few to your backyard, you’re in the right place. We’re going to be covering how to go about planning and adding an outdoor living space to your landscape. 1. What Different Outdoor Living Spaces Are There? First off, you’ll need to know what’s available to you so that you can choose the most suitable one for your needs. Here are the various outdoor living spaces available. Patios Patios are the most commonly seen outdoor living space. They’re usually connected to your home and are meant to pretty much extend your living space into the outdoors. So it’s kind of like having an outdoor room for your home. Patios can be used for pretty much any purpose you want. A simply refers to a hard-surfaced outdoor space, basically a space with a hard surface you created, where you can build whatever you want on the hard surface. You can build an outdoor kitchen, a bar, a fire pit, and just about whatever you want. Decks Decks function like patios, serving as an extension of your home, but made of wood. The main differences are that decks are made of wood or composite, so they have different aesthetics, and they can be elevated. So if your home isn’t flat on the ground but elevated, you’ll have to build a deck to either connect to the ground or just use the deck as your outdoor living space directly. Outdoor Kitchens Another commonly seen outdoor living space, outdoor kitchens bring a whole new level of functionality to your space, allowing you to not just cook, but also cook food that you couldn’t do indoors because of the smoke. Outdoor kitchens can be built on both patios and decks, but for decks, being wood, they may not be able to withstand as much weight as patios, so they may need to be reinforced. Pergolas & Gazebos

Edible landscaping is one of the most practical forms of gardening, and when done right, can also be quite aesthetically pleasing. Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs allows you more control over the food you’re consuming and also allows you to be partially self-sustainable. Over time, edible landscaping is also usually cheaper than store-bought produce, as you’re skipping the transport costs, packaging costs, labor costs, and so on, which are all factored into the final cost of store-bought produce. So if you’re looking to learn how to be more self-sustainable, eat healthier, and cut down on food costs, let’s begin. 1. Is Your Space Suitable For Edible Landscaping? First off, before you begin on your edible garden, you need to assess whether your space can actually be used for edible landscaping. And this is mainly going to boil down to the amount of sunlight your outdoor space has. Most edible plants are going to need at least six hours of sunlight every day, and ideally, it should be strong, direct sunlight. So you need to observe your space and see where the sun shines throughout the day. Ideally, you should position your edible garden in the area that receives the most sunlight. The strength of the sunlight matters too. 5 hours of strong sunlight is better than 6 hours of weak sunlight. So again, carefully observe your area for a few days and see which spots get the most and strongest sunlight. In most cases, the more sunlight, the better, as most edible plants are meant to use as much sunlight as they can get. There are some exceptions, so it’s always good to check beforehand, but in the majority of cases, edible plants won’t ever have too much sunlight. Sunlight is the main concern, but of course, don’t neglect the other conditions too. Make sure to also assess your region’s hardiness zone and soil makeup. Your soil can be amended to suit the growing environment of your edible plants, but either way, you’d have to do a soil test to see if changes need to be made. Your hardiness zone, on the other hand, cannot be changed. You can try to create microclimates with walls, fences, shade structures, or greenhouses. But even then, it’s a lot more work than just amending soil. So try to find edible plants that can suit your hardiness zone rather than trying to amend your hardiness zone to suit your edible plants. 2. Choosing The Edible Plants Sometimes, you’ll see edible gardens that look plain and dull. But that’s not an issue with edible gardens itself, but the planning. To have an aesthetically pleasing edible garden, needless to say, you need edibles of different colors. This shouldn’t be an issue unless you’ve got your mind set on specific plants that you want to use, which most people don’t. If you’ve got one or two edible plants that you’re dead set on having, that’s still fine as long as you have a variety of other plants to add color. If you really don’t care about aesthetics and just want to have the edibles for consumption, then you can just plant the ones you like. But for those who want an aesthetic edible garden, here are great choices for each type of edible. Fruits

Creating a good landscape design is the key to a successful landscaping project. It’s the plan that your landscaping project will follow, and with a good plan, execution becomes easy. But that’s easier said than done. Which plants do you use? Which water features do you use? Should you have a sculpture in your garden? Should the paths be straight or curvy? And what colors should you be incorporating? With so many things to consider, it can be rather overwhelming to create a landscape design. But fret not. We’re here to take you through it step by step. By the end of this article, you should have a much clearer direction of where to take your landscape design. 1. Decide On Your Landscaping Style

Looking to spruce up your outdoor space without breaking the bank? Our latest guide has you covered! Learn how to assess your yard, plan effectively, and choose affordable plants and materials to create a beautiful landscape. Discover native plants, DIY hardscaping tips, and efficient watering solutions tailored for Louisville homeowners.

Seasonal landscape maintenance enhances curb appeal. It also protects your investment and creates a beautiful outdoor living space. But, each season presents challenges. Spring blooms need nurturing, and autumn leaves need raking. This guide covers lawn care, flower bed upkeep, tree and shrub care, hardscape maintenance, and outdoor lighting. These beginner tips will help you shape your yard through every season. When you need extra hands, call on professional landscapers to take over. Let's dive into the details of seasonal yard maintenance, starting with spring. Spring: Awakening Your Landscaping Spring means temperatures rise and the days get longer. Give your yard the attention it needs to flourish throughout the growing season. Lawn Care Essentials Spring is a time of renewal for your lawn. It emerges from winter dormancy and begins the growth cycle. Aeration and overseeding improve soil health and grass density. Fertilize with a spring-specific blend to encourage growth. Preventing weeds starts with a pre-emergent herbicide application. Set a mower height of about 3 to 4 inches to promote optimal grass health. Sprinkler System Spring Update Once the threat of frost has passed, turn on the water supply to your sprinkler system. Inspect for damage and replace any worn or broken parts. Increase sprinkler run times as the weather warms and lawns need more water needs. Revitalizing Flower Beds As temperatures rise, flower beds need attention. Remove any remaining dead foliage from perennials to make room for new growth. Add a fresh layer of mulch to conserve water and suppress weeds. Plant annuals and bedding plants to add vibrant color. Fertilizing blooming plants with essential nutrients. Tree and Shrub Care Spring is the ideal time to tend to trees and shrubs. Pruning shapes plants and removes dead or diseased branches. Light Pruning: Remove dead or damaged branches to improve tree health. Gently shape plants but avoid heavy pruning during the growing season. Cutting too much can stress the tree and increase the risk of disease. Fertilize for healthy growth. Be on the lookout for and take action against common pests and diseases. Hardscape Maintenance Winter's toll on hardscapes becomes evident in spring. Clean patios, walkways, and driveways to remove dirt and winter buildup. Repair damaged pavers or concrete. Seal outdoor surfaces to protect against stains and weathering. Outdoor Lighting Spring is the time to assess outdoor lighting. Inspect fixtures for damage and replace burned-out bulbs. Clean light fixtures to restore brightness. Add new outdoor lighting for curb appeal and inviting outdoor spaces. 

Plant selection is the cornerstone of any beautiful landscape. Choosing the right plants can elevate your outdoor space and boost curb appeal. Most importantly, it creates a relaxing retreat. Imagine your dream outdoor space. Is it filled with colorful blooms? A serene retreat where you can relax and unwind? Or perhaps a modern, minimalist haven that reflects your style? Whatever your vision, the right plants create the perfect outdoor space. Understanding Your Louisville Yard Every yard has a unique personality. Before we discuss plants, let's examine your outdoor space.  What kind of soil do you have? How much sunlight does your yard get? Are there any shady spots or areas with particular challenges? Understanding these factors is like getting to know a new friend. It helps you choose plants that thrive in your landscaping. Next, think about what you want to achieve. Do you dream of A peaceful escape A lively entertainment area A low-maintenance haven? Your goals will guide your plant choices. And don't forget about the size of your yard. Big or small, there are perfect plants for every space. The best choices fit the size of your setting now and as they grow to full size. Selecting Plants for Your Louisville Landscaping Let’s look at some popular choices to fill in your lawn and garden design. Perennials: Garden Staples Perennials are like a garden’s steady friends. They come back every year, adding color and texture to your outdoor setting. These hardworking plants are a foundation for your outdoor space. Louisville's gardening zone 7a offers a variety of perennials. Some popular landscaping options include: Salvia : Beautiful blooms and aromatic foliage, salvias come in various colors and sizes. Try Indigo Spires for a stunning vertical accent. Russian Sage : Drought-tolerant perennial boasts silvery-blue foliage. Spiky flowers add texture. Daylilies : Easy-care beauties with many flower shapes and colors. Choose Stella d'Oro for classic yellow or Happy Return for bright red blooms. Shrubs: Adding Structure and Interest Shrubs are like the backbone of your yard’s structure. They provide shape, height, and visual interest. They add privacy, color, or year-round appeal. Here are a few popular options: Hydrangea : Large, showy blooms that add a touch of elegance to any garden. Consider Endless Summer for continuous flowering. Boxwood : Classic evergreen shrub with dense foliage and a tidy shape. Perfect for hedges or foundation plantings. Butterfly Bush : This fragrant shrub attracts colorful butterflies. It’s a favorite for pollinators and offers stunning blooms all summer.